Poxviruses

Poxviruses are large, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The family Poxviridae is divided into two subfamilies, the Entomopoxvirinae of insects and the Chordopoxvirinae of vertebrates; the latter consists of eight genera and several unclassified viruses, The genus Orthopoxvirus comprises morphologically and antigenically closely related viruses, including the now eradicated variola (smallpox) virus and several pathogens of veterinary and zoonotic importance.